Boreal Bag

[Wayland]

You may remember I decorated a bowl and kuksa recently for a winter trip to Finnish Sápmi that I am planning with friends. I chose a Sámi mythological theme for them using traditional symbols from their Noaidi Drums in keeping with the Arctic destination.

I wanted a nice bag to carry them in, not just to protect them in packing but also to store them safely around camp. The most practical way to do the latter is often to be able to hang it from a line in the shelter.

I had a small amount of Sámi made, birch tanned reindeer leather left over from some other jobs. Working with this material, with it's distinctive aroma, always evokes memories of my time up at Lofotr in the Summer. A wonderful time spent in the land of the Midnight Sun. I obtained the hides from the Winter Market in Jokkmokk, another destination up north of the Arctic Circle.

It seems therefore the most appropriate material I could possibly use to make the bag I wanted for my Saivo Bowl and Firefox Kuksa.

Many cultures believe that there is a "right" way to do things and a "proper time" to do them as well. The concept is often translated simply as "auspicious" but it is more complicated than that. The Inuit say for example that it is about showing correct and proper respect to the spirits and ancestors.

For me at least, yesterday, as the planet revolved again and completed it's 56th orbit of the sun since I came kicking and screaming into this world, just felt like the perfect time to be making this bag.

 

[TLM]

Why the brass shackles? To my eye they don't quite belong. Otherwise I love it.

 

[Wayland]

Those are for hanging the bag on a line to keep it up and out of the snow but still easily accessible.

This is the shelter I will be using and the main ridge line runs under the material so tends to be used for hanging storage.

I could use lighter materials but brass was considered sacred by the Sámi so it seemed like the right choice. They are detachable of course.

 

[punkrockcaveman]

Very nice, happy birthday!

 

[Wayland]

Very nice, happy birthday!

Thank you.

 

[TLM]

I could use lighter materials but brass was considered sacred by the Sámi so it seemed like the right choice.

Apparently all copper based (non easily corrodable) materials were considered to have special powers. And I don't know what they would have used to hang something maybe a hook of some kind made from reindeer antler.

 

[Wayland]

Apparently all copper based (non easily corrodable) materials were considered to have special powers. And I don't know what they would have used to hang something maybe a hook of some kind made from reindeer antler.

I did consider doing something with antler and I may yet change my mind at some point but this won out for me at the moment.

 

[TLM]

That is kind of interesting point, I'll look a bit into it. I might have seen loops and toggles used too.

 

[Corso]

Those are for hanging the bag on a line to keep it up and out of the snow but still easily accessible.

This is the shelter I will be using and the main ridge line runs under the material so tends to be used for hanging storage.

I could use lighter materials but brass was considered sacred by the Sámi so it seemed like the right choice. They are detachable of course.

What's the yellow items? It looks like a peddle bin

 

[Herman30]

What's the yellow items? It looks like a peddle bin

Probably a bag with roll closure.

 

[Wayland]

Herman got it in one.

I usually use a pvc dry bag as my food store in snow.

 

[Corso]

cool pictures

for a minute I thought you were going all ikea on us

 

[Tengu]

yes, I wondered too.

But its a great bag; I would make one but I havent such nice leather.

Deer skin is a favorite of mine though.

Was it the Saami who valued silver over gold as it was from the moon?

 

[Wayland]

I'm not adverse to a bit of Scandi design but packing a peddle bin might be a step too far.

I've heard the silver "more valued than gold" thing mentioned about the Vikings but I've never come across a source for the statement. I have not to date come across any source mentioning it in connection to the Sámi yet but it has not been a focus for my research and the sources are relatively scarce and scattered.

The Sámi certainly place value on silver, using it extensively in their jewellery just as the Vikings did. Whether this is just because of availability or cultural valuation is difficult to say.

 

[Wayland]

Had a kit test camp last weekend so here is the bag in situ.

Decided to use some snap rings for convenience.